Henceforward, the teachers will have to clear the school management exam if they want to be considered for promotion as supervisors, assistant headmasters or headmasters.

The course is intended to help improve the quality of education particularly in state aided primary, secondary, higher secondary and teachers training colleges.

Dr P Deshmukh, regional director, YCMOU, said, "Till last year, teachers would submit their projects and get a certificate. But they would not take it seriously. From this year they will have to also appear for the exam that will be held in March."

Consequently, supervisors, headmasters or assistant headmasters who have not done the course will also be required to do the course. This would involve attending lectures, undertaking project work and an examination at the end of the year.

Reacting to the move, a senior teacher at a school in the central suburbs said; "I am expecting a promotion this year, and am due to retire next year. I have received a letter from the education department advising that I do the school management diploma course. I will enjoy the study work like I used to in my college days. But I don't see how it will help me once I retire."

Anil Bornare, a secondary school teacher and president, Shikshak Parishad, said, "It is a good course. Often, headmasters have difficulty about some important aspect or the other. So the course will help them understand school administration better."